lockwood



Aug. 30, 1932 H. D. LocKwooD SIGN Filed June l5, 419251 lNVENToR.

.H/yi b5/@0000 BY /Wff/ .20 play panel.

Patented Aug. 30, 1932 SIGN j* Application filed June 15, 19311 Serialv` No. 544,390..

1.0, wherein is incorporated an outlining, transparent tube, secured in a` protected position around the edge of the display panel of the sign in a manner permitting its being seen from either side of the sign.

Heretofore signs utilizing gas-filled tubes of glass have been constructed with each side of the sign presenting a separate set of tubes and in no instance did a single tube attract attention from both sides of the opaque dis- In signs of size, use of a large amount of tubing is expensive, which factor precludes the ordinary user from displaying a sign Where both sides thereof require what is usually called, neon lighting.

` One of the objects of this invention is, therefore, the provision of a sign structure wherein is embodied a lighting tube which lies around the edge of the display panel, in the same plane therewith, and where it may be viewed from either side of the sign.

A yet further object of the instant invention is to provide a sign as above speciiied, wherein is also incorporated a canopy which forms a housing for the flood lamps, as well as a separate housing for the electrodes associated with the panel-encircling lighting tube.

A more specilic object of this invention is the contemplation of novel spacer clamps which combine with frame, panel and tube to rigidly secure the same in proper relation.

Further minor objects of this invention will appear during the course of the follow-4 ing specification, referring toY the accompanying drawing, whe-rein the preferred and one modified form of the invention has been illustrated, and wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation of a display ysign made in accordance with this invention and having parts broken away for clearness,

Fig2 is a verticalcross section through thesign, ktaken on line II-II of Fig. 1.1 Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary,detail view through the spacer clamp taken on line IIL-III of .Fig.,1,;and f Fig. 4 is a similar sectional view, but show? ing ja modied form of construction which embodies a plurality `of lighting tubes. in place of a single one.l a l f In setting downthe specific constructionv and combination of parts as they are Aillusitrated iny the drawing, like reference characters will be used to, designate similar parts of the sign structure. As is customary,aa sign wherein this invention might best be utilized includes an opaque display panel whichu'sually has some mattei' painted or printed on each side thereof. It `is to ,this matter on panel 6 thatit is desired to draw the attention of the observer and to do this economical fashion, panel 6=is supported Vwithin frame 8 with alightinga tube 10 extendingentirely around panel 6 between the edges thereof and said frame 8.- Tube 10 lies in thefsame plane as panel 6A and is main'- tained in position by unique spacer clamps clearly illustrated in Figf.V Y These spacer clamps consist of a major member-12and a secondary member 14. rMajor member ,12 extends from frame 8 to panel-@bridging thev 'space therebetween, and rigidly. lsecured i-n place by bolts'n16.:4 Frame 8 is T-shaped in cross section :andy the yweb 18 ofyframeS projects between members 12A and '.14 of the spacer clamp-,as illustrated in Fig. 3.

vIn the preferred form `ofthe invention, 'secondary clamp 14 terminates an abuttingrelation with the edge'l offpanel 6. Both members 12 and 14 are arcuate in cross section between panel 6 and frame S to encircle and support tube 10. Obviously, the only part of tube 10 not visible from either `side of the sign is that small portion covered by members 12 and 14 of the spacer clamps. As the luminous tube 10 is attracting attention to the sign, the matter upon panel 6 is flooded with light from lamps 20, supported within canopy 22, formed along what is pref` yerably, the upper edge of panel 6. Brackets 1 00 24; may be supplied to hang the sign in the usual manner.

Within canopy 22 is housed transformer 26, which may be used to convert electrical energy utilized in the tube 10. Housing 28 forms a partition longitudinally within canopy 22 and encases electrodes 30 which are formed at the end of tube 10.

In the modified form shown in Fig...4, each spacer clamp is formed of members 100 and 102 which are substantially like member 12,

but which have a plurality of arches formed Y therein, between which a like number of tubes 104 may be interposed. Bolts 106 may be used to secure members 100 and 102 in place in a manner which will properly assemble panel 6, frame 8 and the desired number of tubes 104. A Y

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A luminous sign comprising an opaque display anel; .a frame extending entirely around tie edge of said panel in spaced relation thereto and in the same InaJor yplane therewith a luminous tube extending around said panel between the periphery thereof and said frame; and a plurality of spacer clamps engaging said panel and frame having a formed body intermediate the points of connection, whereby saidtube is maintained in the plane of said panel and is visible from either side .of said sign. v

2.,A luminous sign comprising a display panel; a canopy along one edge of said panel; a frame around the edge oi said panel in spaced relation thereto; a tube around said panel inside ofsaid frame and spacer clamps engaging said panel and f frame .having a formed bodyintermediate` saidv points of connection whereby to engage and maintain said tube in thevplane of said panel.

3. A luminous sign comprising a display panel 5 a frame around the edge of said panel in spaced relation thereto; a tube around said panel inside of said frame and spacer clamps engaging said panel and framevhaving a formed body intermediateY said points of connection whereby to engage andmaintain said tube in theplane of said panel.

, In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiiiX my signature. Y. Y

HARRYD. LOCKWOOD. 

